Sex Shop Robberies Hit Adult Stores Across The Country (PHOTO)

A rash of sex-shop robberies across the country have left law enforcement officials hot and bothered -- and not in a good way.

Iowa City police released a photo this week of a man stealing a $250 "Mega Masturbator" toy from the Romantix Pleasure Palace, in a bid to catch the pervy perp after he allegedly held an employee at knife point, The Smoking Gun reported.

Cops told the publication that the thug, who's about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and pictured wearing a blue and black jacket and glasses, held a hunting knife to the worker at about 3 a.m. on Jan. 12. He then he grabbed the 20-pound sex doll and made off -- and possibly made out -- with it.

The "F--k Me Silly" model of the doll is described by its manufacturer as sounding and feeling "just like a real ass!" CrimeStoppers is offering an award of up to $1,000 for tips leading to the thief's arrest.

Sadly, this Iowa man isn't the only hardened criminal who turned to sex-shop theft over the past year. Here's a handy roundup:

WARNING: Some of the links in this story may be considered NSFW, unless you work in a sex shop.

On Jan. 27, a Sykesville, Maryland man was arrested for allegedly breaking into the Red Light District sex shop late last year and stealing a $99 toy, according to The Dispatch. William Pfister admitted to the crime after cops say they found DNA evidence at the scene scene. It was his blood.

On Jan. 11, several kids between the ages of 13 and 17 broke into a porn shop in Sacramento, Calif. and stole several dildos, magazines and videos -- but no money, according to CBS-13. The Fantasy Factory owner was perplexed. "They just took the toys and left," he said. "They didn't take the money or anything so I was lost."

On Aug. 29, a man stole an $800 "Pipedream Extreme" sex doll -- a replica of a woman from the waist down -- from an Ohio sex shop, The Smoking Gun reported. The perp allegedly used a stolen tractor to open up the rear doors of the shop and steal the toy, then escaped apprehension when cops found him down the road.